Objectives: To determine sociodemographic predictors of added sugar intake from a national representative sample of 2- to 5-year-old children.
Study design: Cross-sectional study that used dietary intake data of the US Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intake in Individuals 1994 to 1996 and 1998 (n = 5652). Amount of added sugar intake in teaspoons per day, teaspoons per 100 kcal, and percent of total energy was calculated by selected sociodemographic variables, accounting for sample design and weighted to permit inferences applicable to the total population. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to predict added sugar intake.
Results: Average added sugar consumption was 15.4 tsp/d (15.7% of total energy). Significant differences were observed by several socio-demographic characteristics. Multivariate models predicting energy-adjusted intake indicated strong associations with age, ethnicity, income, day care/school attendance, Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation, region of residence, and female head of household's educational level.
Conclusions: The identified sociodemographic predictors of high added sugar intake might help target public health messages to improve children's diet quality and prevent future chronic diseases to population groups at highest risk.